Storage assembly

ABSTRACT

A storage assembly includes a suitcase, a garment bag, a first attachment device provided on at least one wall of the suitcase, and a second attachment device provided on at least one wall of the garment bag and configured to removably engage the first attachment device. The suitcase has opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls and opposing left and right walls, the collective walls being secured together to form a first interior storage area. The garment bag has opposing front and rear walls secured together to form a second interior storage area. In an assembled position of the storage assembly, the first and second attachment devices engage each other to secure the garment bag to the suitcase in an unfolded position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a storage assembly and, more particularly, to a combination of a suitcase and garment bag assembly for storage and transport of garments.

Various types of rolling suitcases are well known and are often used by travelers for storage and transport of their garments during travel. Garment bags are also utilized by travelers for this same purpose. Various types of garment bags, configured to be carried by travelers, are also well known in the art.

Many travelers require both types of garment storage apparatuses for trips. However, there has not yet been developed a simple and efficient assembly that allows for a suitcase and a garment bag to be assembled together into a unitary and compact storage assembly for easy transport.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a storage assembly, and more particularly a combined suitcase and garment bag storage assembly, which allows for easy and quick assembly and disassembly of the suitcase and garment bag. It is also desirable to provide a combined suitcase and garment bag storage assembly which does not require any folding or other manipulation of the garment bag, thereby keeping the garments contained therein undisturbed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a storage assembly including a suitcase, a garment bag, a first attachment device provided on at least one wall of the suitcase, and a second attachment device provided on at least one wall of the garment bag and configured to removably engage the first attachment device. The suitcase has opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls and opposing left and right walls, the collective walls being secured together to form a first interior storage area. The garment bag has opposing front and rear walls secured together to form a second interior storage area. In an assembled position of the storage assembly, the first and second attachment devices engage each other to secure the garment bag to the suitcase in an unfolded position.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a storage assembly including a suitcase, a garment bag, a first attachment device provided on at least one wall of the suitcase, and a second attachment device provided on at least one wall of the garment bag. The first and second attachment are configured to removably engage each other. The suitcase has opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls, opposing left and right walls, and a handle extending upwardly away from the top wall. The collective walls of the suitcase are secured together to form a first interior storage area. The garment bag has opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls, and a hanger extending upwardly away from the top wall. The hanger has an aperture extending therethrough. The collective walls of the garment bag are secured together to form a second interior storage area. In an assembled position of the storage assembly, the first and second attachment devices engage each other and a portion of the handle of the suitcase engages the aperture of the hanger of the garment bag, such that the garment bag is secured to the suitcase in an unfolded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a storage assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the preset invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a suitcase of the storage assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a garment bag of the storage assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the garment bag shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the storage assembly and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, mean “at least one.”

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals and characters indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 a presently preferred embodiment of a storage assembly in accordance with the present invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, the storage assembly, generally designated 10, comprises a suitcase or luggage case 12 and a garment bag or portable wardrobe 14. Thus, the storage assembly 10 is a combination suitcase and garment bag assembly. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the suitcase 12 includes a top surface or wall 16 and an opposing bottom surface or wall 18, a first lateral left side surface or wall 20 and an opposing second lateral right side surface or wall 22, and a front surface or wall 24 and an opposing rear surface or wall 26. Each of the walls 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 may be made of any conventionally known material for suitcases, such as a generally flexible and soft fabric, an generally inflexible and rigid polymeric material, and the like, as well as combinations of such materials.

Referring to FIG. 2, the collective walls 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 form a generally rectangular and enclosed suitcase 12 having an interior storage area. The front wall 24 may also be provided with one or more interior or exterior pockets or compartments for storage of various items and objects. The suitcase 12 preferably also includes at least one wheel 32. More particularly, the bottom wall 18 is preferably provided with at least one wheel 32, and more preferably with a plurality of wheels 32, such that the suitcase 12 may be rolled along a ground or floor surface (not shown).

The front wall 24 is preferably connected to at least one of the bottom wall 18, the top wall 16, the left sidewall 20 and the right sidewall 22 along a hinged seam 28 and by a zipper assembly 30, such that the front wall 24 may be pivotally moved about the hinge 28. In a first, closed position of the suitcase 12, as shown in FIG. 2, the front wall 24 is secured to the top wall 16, the bottom wall 18, the left sidewall 20 and the right sidewall 22 by the zipper assembly 30, such that the front wall 24 is not movable and an interior of the suitcase 12 is not exposed. In a second, open position of the suitcase 12 (not shown), the zipper assembly 30 is at least partially released, such that the front wall 24 is pivotally movable with respect to at least one of the top wall 16, the bottom wall 18, the left sidewall 20 and the right sidewall 22. More preferably, the front wall 24 is pivotally movable with respect to both the top and bottom walls 16, 18 and one of the left and right sidewalls 20, 22. In the open position of the suitcase 12 (not shown), the interior of the suitcase 12 is exposed.

While a particular wall structure of the suitcase 12 is described herein, it will be understood that the suitcase 12 of the storage assembly 10 may have a wall structure the same as or similar to any conventionally known rolling suitcase.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the suitcase 12 preferably includes at least one handle 34. More particularly, the top wall 16 of the suitcase 12 is preferably provided with a handle 34, and more preferably with a telescoping handle 34, which telescopes upwardly away from the exterior surface 16 a of the top wall 16 in an extended position (FIG. 1). The handle 34 of the suitcase 12 is preferably comprised of generally parallel, rigid and spaced-apart first and second handle supports 34 a, 34 b extending upwardly away from the top wall 16 and a generally rigid connector 36 extending generally horizontally between and connecting the first and second spaced-apart handle supports 34 a, 34 b.

In one embodiment, the connector 36 preferably includes a projection 38 extending upwardly and/or outwardly therefrom, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. More particularly, at least a portion of the projection 38 extends at upwardly and outwardly away from a plane defined by the handle 34, and more preferably outwardly away from a plane defined by the connector 36. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the projection 38 extends at an angle outwardly away from a plane defined by the connector 36 and toward the front wall 24 of the suitcase 12. In such an embodiment, at least a portion of the projection 38 preferably extends at an angle of approximately 5°-20°, and more preferably approximately 8°-15°, and most preferably approximately 10°, outwardly away from the handle 34. Preferably, at least a portion of the projection 38 is at least slightly arcuate in shape. The projection 38 may be integrally formed with the handle 34 or may be a separate component that can be selectively attached to and detached from the handle 34. Preferably, the projection 38 extends along and parallel to a longitudinal axis L₁₂ of the suitcase 12 which extends from the top wall 16 toward the bottom wall 18 (and vice versa). The suitcase 12 may also contain additional flexible or rigid handles 35 on one or both sidewalls 20, 22, and/or the top or bottom walls 16, 18, or both as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the suitcase 12 also includes at least a first attachment device or mechanism 40. The first attachment device 40 may be provided on any portion of the suitcase 12, and more particularly on any of the walls 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 of the suitcase 12. Preferably, in the present embodiment, the first attachment device 40 is provided on either the front wall 24 or the rear wall 26, and more preferably on the front wall 24. The projection 38 of the handle 34 preferably extends outwardly away from the handle 34 at an angle toward the wall on which the first attachment device 40 is provided.

The first attachment device 40 may be provided on any portion of the front wall 24 of the suitcase 12 (i.e., an upper portion, a lower portion, and intermediate portion and the like). Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the first attachment device 40 is provided on a lower portion of the front wall 24 proximate the bottom wall 18 of the suitcase 12 and is generally extends along and parallel to the longitudinal axis L₁₂ of the suitcase 12. More particularly, the first attachment device 40 preferably extends on the exterior surface 24 a of the front wall 24 of the suitcase 12 from the bottom wall 18 toward the top wall 16 along and parallel to the longitudinal axis L₁₂. Preferably, the first attachment device 40 is aligned with a longitudinal centerline C_(L12) of the suitcase 12 between the left and right sidewalls 20, 22 and the front wall 24.

In another embodiment (not shown), the first attachment device 40 is provided on an upper portion of the front wall 24 proximate the top wall 16 of the suitcase 12 and aligned with the longitudinal centerline C_(L12) of the front wall 24, such that the first attachment device 40 extends on the exterior surface 24 a of the front wall 24 from the top wall 16 toward the bottom wall 18 along and parallel to the longitudinal axis L₁₂. In another embodiment (not shown), the first attachment device 40 is provided on an intermediate portion of the front wall 24 between the top and bottom walls 16, 18 and aligned with the longitudinal centerline C_(L12) of the front wall 24, such that the first attachment device 40 extends along and parallel to the longitudinal axis L_(u) and each end of the first attachment device 40 is spaced apart from the top and bottom walls 16, 18, respectively. In another embodiment (not shown), the first attachment device 40 extends along an entire length of the front wall 24 between the top and bottom walls 16, 18 along and parallel to the longitudinal axis L₁₂. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the first attachment device 40 need not be centrally located along the longitudinal centerline C_(L12), but instead may be located proximate the left sidewall 20 and distal from the right sidewall 22 or proximate the right sidewall 22 and distal from the left sidewall 20. If desired, the first attachment device 40 may be located proximate to both sidewalls 20, 22.

The first attachment device 40 also need not extend along the longitudinal axis L₁₂ of the suitcase 12 and front wall 24, and may instead extend along a lateral axis X₁₂ of the suitcase 12 and the front wall 24 at any portion of the front wall 24. The lateral axis X₁₂ preferably extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L₁₂, from the left sidewall 20 toward the right sidewall 22 (and vice versa).

The first attachment device 40 may take many forms, including, but not limited to, an adhesive, one or more male or female snap button members, one or more male or female pinch or clamp devices, one or more hooks or loops of a hook and loop fastener, and the like. Preferably, the first attachment device 40 includes a plurality of hooks or loops of Velcro®, mating surface. As such, the first attachment device 40 is preferably in the form of a Velcro® strip extending on the front side 24 of the suitcase 12 from the bottom side 18 toward the top side 16 along the longitudinal axis L₁₂. The suitcase 12 may further include a foldable, pivotable or removable cover 42 configured to selectively cover (such as when the first attachment device 40 is not in use) and expose the first Velcro® mating strip 40.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the garment bag 14 includes a top surface or wall 44 and an opposing bottom surface or wall 46, a first lateral left side surface or wall 48 and an opposing a second lateral right side surface or wall 50, and a front surface or wall 52 and an opposing rear surface or wall 54. Each of the walls 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 may be made of any conventionally known material for garment bags, such as a generally flexible and soft fabric. The collective walls 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 form a generally rectangular, enclosed and foldable garment bag 14 to establish an interior storage area. Also, when the garment bag 14 is empty (i.e., devoid of any clothes contained therein), the garment bag 14 is generally flat.

In one embodiment, the front wall 52 is directly secured or attached to the rear wall 54, such that the garment bag 14 does not include left and right sidewalls 48, 50 and/or top and bottom walls 44, 46.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the front wall 52 of the garment bag 14 may also be provided with one or more interior or exterior pockets or compartments for storage of various items and objects. The front wall 52 is preferably connected to at least one of the top wall 44, the bottom wall 46, the left sidewall 48, the right sidewall 50, and the rear wall 54 along a hinged seam 56 and/or by a zipper assembly 58, such that the front wall 52 may be moved or pivoted. In a first, closed position of the garment bag 14, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the front wall 52 is secured to all of the remaining walls 44, 46, 48, 50, 54 by the zipper assembly 58, such that the front wall 52 is not movable and an interior of the garment bag 14 is not exposed. In a second, open position of the garment bag 14 (not shown), the zipper assembly 58 is at least partially released, such that the front wall 52 is movable with respect to at least one of the top wall 44, the bottom wall 46, the left sidewall 48, the right sidewall 50, and the rear wall 54. More preferably, the front wall 52 is movable with respect to top wall 44, the bottom wall 46 and the rear wall 54 and one of the left and right sidewalls 48, 50. In the open position of the garment bag 14, the interior of the garment bag 14 is exposed.

While a particular wall structure of the garment bag 14 is described herein, it will be understood that garment bag 14 of the storage assembly 10 may have a wall structure the same as or similar to any conventionally known garment bag. For example, the front wall 52 of the garment bag 14 may be fixedly secured to the remaining walls and the zipper assembly 58 may be provided within the front wall 52 to split the front wall 52 into two separate and selectively engageable and disengageable portions.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the garment bag 14 preferably includes at least one hanger, hook or handle 60. More particularly, the hanger 60 is preferably provided proximate to the top wall 44 of the garment bag 14 and extends upwardly away from the top wall 44. A body of the hanger 60 includes an aperture 66 extending therethrough, such that the garment bag 14 may be removably positioned on a projection by inserting the projection within or through the aperture 66 of the hanger 60. The hanger 62 is preferably directly attached to a portion of at least one of the top wall 44, the front wall 52 and the rear wall 54. More preferably, the hanger 62 is directly attached to a portion of the top wall 44, the front wall 52 and/or the rear wall 54 proximate a longitudinal centerline C_(L14) of the garment bag 14 between the left and right sidewalls 48, 50. It will be understood that the garment bag 14 may include one or more additional hangers 61 on any portion of any wall of the garment bag 14

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the garment bag 14 also includes at least a second attachment device or mechanism 62. The second attachment device 62 may be provided on any portion of the garment bag 14, and more particularly on any of the walls 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 of the garment bag 14. Preferably, the second attachment device 62 is provided on either the front wall 52 or the rear wall 54. The second attachment device 62 may be provided on any portion of the front or rear wall 52, 54 of the garment bag 14 (i.e., an upper portion, a lower portion, and intermediate portion and the like), similar to the various potential positions described above for the first attachment device 40 of the suitcase 12. Thus, the second attachment device 62 is preferably provided on a portion (i.e., proximate the bottom wall 46, proximate the top wall 44 or at an intermediate portion therebetween) of the garment bag 14 and preferably extends along and parallel to a longitudinal axis L₁₄ of the garment bag 14, but may also extend along a lateral axis X₁₄ of the garment bag 14. The longitudinal axis L₁₄ preferably extends from the bottom wall 46 toward the top wall 44 (and vice versa) and the lateral axis X preferably extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L₁₄, from the left sidewall 48 toward the right sidewall 50 (and vice versa). Preferably, the second attachment device 62 is aligned with the longitudinal centerline C_(L14) of the garment bag 14.

The second attachment device 62 is a counterpart to the first attachment device 40. Thus, the second attachment device 62 is preferably provided on the garment bag 14 at a position which is aligned with, complements, corresponds to or conforms with the position of the first attachment device 40 of the suitcase 12. This does not mean that the second attachment device 62 must be located in the same position on the garment bag 14 as the position of the first attachment device 40 on the suitcase 12. Instead, the second attachment device 62 need only be provided at a position on the garment bag 14 such that it can mate with the first attachment device 40 on the suitcase 12. Preferably, however, if the first attachment device 40 is positioned on a lower portion of the front wall 24 of the suitcase 12 and extends from the bottom wall 18 toward the top wall 16 along the longitudinal centerline C_(L12) thereof, then the second attachment device 62 is provided on a lower portion of the rear wall 54 (as shown in FIG. 4) or the front wall 52 of the garment bag 14 and extends from the bottom wall 46 toward the top wall 44 along the longitudinal centerline C_(L14) thereof.

While the second attachment device 62 may take many forms (for example, an adhesive, one or more male or female snap button members, one or more male or female pinch or clamp devices, one or more hooks or loops of a hook and loop fastener, and the like), the second attachment device 62 is preferably formed as a counterpart of the first attachment device 40. More particularly, the second attachment device 62 is configured to selectively mate or engage with and disengage from the first attachment device 40. Thus, in one embodiment, where the first attachment device 40 includes a plurality of hooks of a Velcro® strip, the second attachment device 62 includes a plurality of loops of a Velcro® strip configured to selectively mate with the first Velcro® strip, or vice versa. The garment bag 14 may further include a foldable, pivotable or removable cover 64 configured to selectively cover (such as when the second attachment device 62 is not in use) and expose the second Velcro® mating strip 62.

The storage assembly 10 may include more than two attachment devices 40, 62. For example, the suitcase 12 may include two or more attachment devices 40 and the garment bag 14 may include two or more attachment devices 62 configured to engage with and disengage from the counterpart attachment devices 40 of the suitcase 12.

In an assembled position of the storage assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the first and second attachment devices 40, 62 engage each other, such that the garment bag 14 is removably attached or secured to the suitcase 12. To place the storage assembly 10 in the assembled position, a user first positions the garment bag 14 and suitcase 12 such that the first attachment device 40 is aligned with and faces the second attachment device 62 with the covers 42, 64 moved or removed to expose the first and second attachment devices 40, 62. Then, the user places the first attachment device 40 into contact with the second attachment device 62, such that the attachment mechanism(s) of the first attachment device 40 engage(s) with the counterpart attachment mechanism(s) of the second attachment device 62, thereby removably joining the first and second attachment devices 40, 62 together. Then, the user places the hanger 60 of the garment bag 14 around at least a portion the projection 38 of the handle 34 of the suitcase 12. More particularly, at least a portion of the projection 38 of the handle 34 of the suitcase 12 extends through or engages the aperture 62 of the hanger 60 of the garment bag 14. In some circumstances, depending on the relative sizes of the suitcase 12 and the garment bag 14 as well as the positioning of the first and second attachment members 40, 62, it may be necessary to place the handle 34 of the suitcase 12 in an at least partially extended position, such that the connector 36 is spaced apart from the top wall 16 of the suitcase 12.

Thus, when the storage assembly 10 is in the assembled position, the user can move, and more particularly pull, roll or push, the storage assembly 10 as a single unitary unit, without having to fold or otherwise manipulate the garment bag 14. As such, the garments contains in the garment bag 14 remain undisturbed and pristine.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above steps to place the storage assembly 10 in the assembled position may be carried out in any order. For example, the user need not align and engage the first and second attachment devices 40, 62 and then place the hanger 60 around the projection 38. Rather, the user may first place the hanger 60 around the projection 38, and then align and engage the first and second attachment devices 40, 62.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Also, based on this disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art would further recognize that the relative proportions of the components illustrated could be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A storage assembly comprising: a suitcase having opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls and opposing left and right walls, the collective walls being secured together to form a first interior storage area; a garment bag having opposing front and rear walls secured together to form a second interior storage area; a first attachment device provided on at least one wall of the suitcase; and a second attachment device provided on at least one wall of the garment bag and configured to removably engage the first attachment device, wherein in an assembled position of the storage assembly, the first and second attachment devices engage each other to secure the garment bag to the suitcase in an unfolded position.
 2. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the suitcase includes a telescoping handle extending upwardly away from the top wall of the suitcase and comprising a projection, at least a portion of the projection extending outwardly away from a plane defined by the handle, and wherein the garment bag includes a hanger having an aperture, at least a portion of the handle of the suitcase engaging the aperture of the garment bag hanger in the assembled position of the storage assembly.
 3. The storage assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the projection is arcuate.
 4. The storage assembly of claim 2, wherein the projection is removable from the handle.
 5. The storage assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the projection of the handle of the suitcase engages the aperture of the hanger of the garment bag in the assembled position of the storage assembly.
 6. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second attachment devices is a strip including a plurality of hooks and the other of the first and second attachment devices is a strip including a plurality of loops configured to removably engage the plurality of hooks.
 7. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the first attachment device is provided on the front wall of the suitcase and wherein the second attachment device is provided on one of the front and rear walls of the garment bag.
 8. The storage assembly of claim 7, wherein the first attachment device is provided on a lower portion of the front wall of the suitcase proximate the bottom wall thereof and wherein the second attachment device is provided on a lower portion of one of the front and rear walls of the garment bag proximate a bottom wall thereof.
 9. A storage assembly comprising: a suitcase having opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls, opposing left and right walls, and a handle extending upwardly away from the top wall, the collective walls being secured together to form a first interior storage area; a garment bag having opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and rear walls, and a hanger extending upwardly away from the top wall, the hanger having an aperture extending therethrough, the collective walls being secured together to form a second interior storage area; a first attachment device provided on at least one wall of the suitcase and a second attachment device provided on at least one wall of the garment bag, the first and second attachment devices being configured to removably engage each other, wherein, in an assembled position of the storage assembly, the first and second attachment devices engage each other and a portion of the handle of the suitcase engages the aperture of the hanger of the garment bag, such that the garment bag is secured to the suitcase in an unfolded position.
 10. The storage assembly of claim 9, wherein the handle of the suitcase is a telescoping handle and includes a projection, at least a portion of the projection extending outwardly away from a plane defined by the handle.
 11. The storage assembly of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the projection is arcuate.
 12. The storage assembly of claim 11, wherein in the assembled position of the storage assembly, the telescoping handle is in an extended position and spaced apart from the top wall of the suitcase and the projection of the telescoping handle engages the aperture of the hanger.
 13. The storage assembly of claim 9, wherein one of the first and second attachment devices is a strip including a plurality of hooks and the other of the first and second attachment devices is a strip including a plurality of loops configured to removably engage the plurality of hooks.
 14. The storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the first attachment device is provided on the front wall of the suitcase and wherein the second attachment device is provided on one of the front and rear walls of the garment bag.
 15. The storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the first attachment device is provided on a lower portion of the front wall of the suitcase proximate the bottom wall thereof and wherein the second attachment device is provided on a lower portion of one of the front and rear walls of the garment bag proximate the bottom wall thereof. 